Spurgeon, Charles: Lectures to My Students Critique

Spurgeon, Charles: Lectures to My Students Critique Summary of Themes, Concepts and Principles The main theme of Spurgeon's book is the author's encouragement to expressing authenticity in his preachers. This important theme is presented in three volume work through a series of principles intended to reflect the importance of genuineness, but also to determine preachers to be more genuine in their theological and in their public and private life.

An important principle that Spurgeon advices his students to follow in their private lives refers to test their vocation in order to determine its authenticity, and to exceed their status as preachers to that of theologians, meaning they should master God's word and preach it wisely to the masses. Other principles described by Spurgeon in his lectures refer to his students reflecting values like integrity, courage, zeal, dedication, character, earnestness, and others, in their work and in their relationship with others (vol. 1: pp. 23, 74; vol 2: pp. 25, 32 -- 35, 145).

The principles Spurgeon teaches address the praying that preachers perform, which in the author's opinion must be performed more in comparison with regular Christians and must reflect holy familiarity (vol. 1: pp. 40, 58). Regarding the public life, this should be derived from the private life of the preacher, but also from its praying habits. This means that being a minister should be considered a full time job, and ministers should behave sociably with their congregation members whenever the situation requires it (vol. 1: pp. 13, 182, 184).

Charles Spurgeon also addresses the principles its students should not approach. These principles also refer to preachers' public and private lives, but also to their praying activity. Therefore, when praying, preachers must not make excessive use of the Lord's name and of repetitious phrases. In addition to this, preachers are discouraged from using in their praying the liturgies they memorize mechanically (vol. 1: pp. 49, 54, 58). Another principle that Spurgeon advices its students to address refers to avoiding speaking God's word in case the word is not clear to the preacher (vol. 1: pp. 80).

In addition to this, preachers must be careful when explaining the Scripture's messages (vol. 1: pp. 80, 106). Preachers are also advice not to disconsider others by thinking they have less importance in comparison with preachers, and to not behave in self-important, self-indulgent, tempered, and bigot manners (vol. 1: pp. 181, vol. 2: pp. 31). Critique In my opinion, Charles Spurgeon's "Lectures to My Students" is a valuable work that seminary students should read and keep in their personal library.

The value of these lectures relies on the fact that they are easy to adapt to different contexts and to different cultures, and the principles they offer are not bound to any historical period. However, I also tend to disagree with some of the concepts in the book and these are explained in this book report. One of the most important facts I appreciate about Spurgeon's Lectures is represented by his writing style.

As it can be easily observed, the author's writing style appeals to the masses because it is easy to understand, the book, as most of Spurgeon's works, is written in a colloquial and familiar style that readers other than preachers can understand. In addition to this, Spurgeon keeps the reader interested by providing numerous anecdotes, and helps build a nice state to readers through his fine humor (this evaluation is made by Spurgeon).

The wisdom that is reflected in Spurgeon's writing is another fact I value his work for, as it is wisdom that attracts readers and persuades them of the validity of the author's writing. In my opinion, good writing is persuasive and makes a difference in people's behavior. I think Spurgeon's Lectures very well accomplish this for preachers. Some of the lines that I think offer the greatest wisdom are: "ludicrous results sometimes arise from sheer stupidity inflated with conceit (vol. 1: pp.

105); "it is far better to be industriously asleep than lazily awake" (vol. 1: pp. 182); "do not be a dummy" (vol. 1: pp. 185). The great way in which Spurgeon makes use of his humor I think is very useful in annulling any barrier that readers might have against his writings. This makes it easier for the reader to accept the principles recommended by the author. It also helps make a great reading for people other than preachers. However, there are a few issues in Spurgeon's Lectures that I tend to disagree with.

This is the case of Spurgeon's recommendation to not use liturgies in churches. Another issue I disagree with is the writer's assumption that preachers are likely to address self-indulgence, self-importance, or bigotry. My explanation for this would be that during the period Spurgeon wrote the book there were probably numerous situations where preachers expressed such behaviors, and the author felt the need to write against them.

In my opinion, the facts addressed by Spurgeon in his lectures that most people disagree with are because of the cultural differences between the period in which they were written and the current period. Although most of its writing can be easily adapted to current situations and great learning derived from this work, it is obvious that some of the ideas and recommendations are obsolete. This does not mean that Spurgeon's work should not be read and carefully studied by students and preachers.

Regarding the academic level, teachers and professors in theological institutes should analyze how the lectures can be easier adapted to modern situations,.